A LPG carrier built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. is seen in this photo provided by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. on Dec. 3, 2020.
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea took its first step towards the construction of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-powered ships with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries approving regulations with respect to the Korean Register’s inspection of eco-friendly LPG-fueled vessels.
Korean Register is the nation’s classification society for ships and offshore structures.
The newly-approved inspection regulations take into consideration that LPG is heavier than air, thereby requiring air ventilation and gas detection devices to be placed near to the floor.
The regulations also focus on maintaining the temperature of emission gases at a level below the ignition temperature, while requiring the installation of temperature surveillance devices.
The operation of LPG-fueled vessels can contribute to reducing the emission of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and fine dust by about 80 to 90 percent compared to the operation of ships that run on conventional bunker oil.
LPG-powered vessels also emit 13 to 18 percent less greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Compared to bunker C oil, LPG can generate fuel cost savings of about 5.5 percent per year.
In other words, LPG can make contributions both environmentally and economically.
The ministry has already established standards for the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships.
The ministry intends to come up with inspection regulations for other types of eco-friendly vessels, including ones that use methanol, ethyl alcohol or hydrogen cells as fuel.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
